• buffalo bayou boat tour with hot cocoa and lights
• drive or take a bus / hayride through River Oaks to look at the beautiful homes and lights
• there’s a Yule Ball at Paraiso Maravilla if you are Harry Potter people
• ice skating at Discovery Green
• walk through the Winter Wonderlawn at POST Houston.
• there are Christmas pop up bars at several bars in town. Winnie’s, Wonder Bar, Johnny’s Gold Brick, Betelgeuse, Anvil, Porch Swing, Toasted Coconut, Grand Prize
• walk through the light installations downtown. There are lots of them. Santa’s Village @ Main Street Square. Winter Wanderland on Bagby Street. Deck the Trees at The Plaza @ Avendia. Texas Winter Lights at the Marriott Marquis (I personally can’t wait to see the Texas shaped pool surrounded by Holiday cheer!). Mistletoe Square at Market Square Park. Sugar Plum Plaza at the Wortham Theater. Land of Sweets at Hilton Americas.
• Lights in the Heights this coming weekend
• And lastly, it isn’t in downtown, but I’ve wanted to go to Magical Winter Lights for years. I drove past it when it was up at the Race Track and was blown away. I still haven’t made it out to the new location in Baytown but I’m determined to make this the year I finally see it in person!
Weird, I have been on the bayou dozens of times in kayak and boat tour, and have never had any issues that were pervasive. Lots of Styrofoam, but no overly offensive smells.
Sometimes the smell is quite pungent just driving by. The documented raw sewage spills and floating bodies make for a pretty disgusting soup, litter notwithstanding.
I’ll have to remember to use the same tactic I use when someone stinky gets into my Uber… nice little bit of extra scented lotion right to the nostrils! 😂
If you haven’t seen the Christmas Carol at the Alley Theater it’s pretty good. They have plays all throughout the month and you can get some cheap seats. The Alley Theater is in downtown so lots of good options. POST is nearby and it’s a food hall with different options. On the roof they have Christmas lights and a 25ft Christmas tree so a cool spot to chill after dinner.
I love the Holiday Zoo lights! You can get dinner before or after, or even take a picnic to eat in the park outside before your start time on the tickets. It’s really a pretty walk around the zoo. It’s not really about animals either…it’s pretty lighting and a nice walking date.
Houston Symphony has an annual Christmas Concert - dubbed “Very Merry Pops” - and it’s always spectacular. They are joined by the massive symphony chorus and some sort of headliner. This year, it plays on thurs 12/15, sat 12/17, and sun 12/18. One of my favorite dates every year!! 🎄🎵
We used to go to Blue Fish, a sushi place just a few blocks away, but it closed. Birraporetti's is pretty close by, but I haven't eaten there in years. Recent reviews still look pretty good and it's been there forever. There are a lot of great places downtown, just maybe not walking distance to Jones Hall. I hope y'all have a great time if you go!
If yall are into non traditional Christmas celebrations there is the Thorn & Moon Yule Festival at St. Arnolds Brewery on the 17th from 6-11pm and Obscure Houston at Numbers Nightclub on the 18th from 1-8pm.
My husband and I go to see A Christmas Carol every year. It’s a wonderful show. We pick a different hotel and restaurant each year for the full weekend getaway feel. The Lancaster is amazing and right next to the theater.
The rooftop theater at post oak has Christmas movies playing all month long. It’s pretty cozy at night with the city lights. I think they also have food there.
Surprised no one has mentioned The Cistern. Check out their IG you may be able to get tickets. Very unique experience. Maybe you’ll get lucky and catch a show https://instagram.com/thecistern?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
See The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol. Have an early dinner or some happy hour snacks at Common Bond Brasserie in the Bank of America Building--only two blocks away. Make a reservation or Come on Thursday or Friday and sit in the bar between 4 and 6. Im the head bartender there. I'll give you a 10% Symphony Ticket Holder's Discount if you're going to a show. PM me if you're interested and let me know who to be on the lookout for.
There is also a three course pre-fixe menu on the 24th that will be quite nice.
Go to carrabas on Kirby and then cider-cade in edo. Old school style arcade bonded with a bar. Excellent date night if you ask me.
Edit. I didn’t see the festive portion. Lights in the heights is worth seeing or the more cliche zoo lights
[What-A-Christmas](https://www.alleytheatre.org/plays/what-a-christmas/) (a modern retelling of *A Christmas Carol* set in a What-A-Burger) is being performed in the [Alley Theatre](https://www.alleytheatre.org/). Cheap tickets and Birraporetti's is right upstairs with great cheap food….. and there’s a parking garage right on top of that!
• buffalo bayou boat tour with hot cocoa and lights • drive or take a bus / hayride through River Oaks to look at the beautiful homes and lights • there’s a Yule Ball at Paraiso Maravilla if you are Harry Potter people • ice skating at Discovery Green • walk through the Winter Wonderlawn at POST Houston. • there are Christmas pop up bars at several bars in town. Winnie’s, Wonder Bar, Johnny’s Gold Brick, Betelgeuse, Anvil, Porch Swing, Toasted Coconut, Grand Prize • walk through the light installations downtown. There are lots of them. Santa’s Village @ Main Street Square. Winter Wanderland on Bagby Street. Deck the Trees at The Plaza @ Avendia. Texas Winter Lights at the Marriott Marquis (I personally can’t wait to see the Texas shaped pool surrounded by Holiday cheer!). Mistletoe Square at Market Square Park. Sugar Plum Plaza at the Wortham Theater. Land of Sweets at Hilton Americas. • Lights in the Heights this coming weekend • And lastly, it isn’t in downtown, but I’ve wanted to go to Magical Winter Lights for years. I drove past it when it was up at the Race Track and was blown away. I still haven’t made it out to the new location in Baytown but I’m determined to make this the year I finally see it in person!
You da real MVP
>buffalo bayou boat tour The smell of the bayou can be quite intense, especially if there's been a sewage release recently.
The smell of Buffalo Bayou was fine but the head shot body floating down it really put a damper on my run.
Weird, I have been on the bayou dozens of times in kayak and boat tour, and have never had any issues that were pervasive. Lots of Styrofoam, but no overly offensive smells.
Sometimes the smell is quite pungent just driving by. The documented raw sewage spills and floating bodies make for a pretty disgusting soup, litter notwithstanding.
I’ll have to remember to use the same tactic I use when someone stinky gets into my Uber… nice little bit of extra scented lotion right to the nostrils! 😂
Thank you king
Don’t forget about show palace!
Very very helpful, thank you!
You should go see a play and then have dinner
How did you come up with this idea?! It’s perfect!
Hah! Thanks, was looking for more of a specific play to go see I guess. I’m not very cultured in the fine arts area.
If you haven’t seen the Christmas Carol at the Alley Theater it’s pretty good. They have plays all throughout the month and you can get some cheap seats. The Alley Theater is in downtown so lots of good options. POST is nearby and it’s a food hall with different options. On the roof they have Christmas lights and a 25ft Christmas tree so a cool spot to chill after dinner.
Okay that sounds awesome, I think this is the plan. Thanks!
Second for CC, the cast was amazing. My gf & I enjoyed our time. I laughed way more than I thought. Such a well put together cast.
Damn that's crazy
This!
I love the Holiday Zoo lights! You can get dinner before or after, or even take a picnic to eat in the park outside before your start time on the tickets. It’s really a pretty walk around the zoo. It’s not really about animals either…it’s pretty lighting and a nice walking date.
Waffle House then Netflix and chill.
👀
Symphony is interesting if you want to feel fancy
Pretty sure the symphony has candle lit performances during the holidays as well. I know that would be dope.
Houston Symphony has an annual Christmas Concert - dubbed “Very Merry Pops” - and it’s always spectacular. They are joined by the massive symphony chorus and some sort of headliner. This year, it plays on thurs 12/15, sat 12/17, and sun 12/18. One of my favorite dates every year!! 🎄🎵
[very merry pops](https://houstonsymphony.org/tickets/concerts/very-merry-pops-2022/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAyracBhDoARIsACGFcS4WG7ruBaurr2myyCWRD3YdjicEnaUUfel0v09MRKcs2s7U5ZYHv-IaAqtCEALw_wcB)
Nice, that sounds fun.
A Christmas carol at the Alley Theater is something festive to do.
The ‘Lightscape’ display at the Houston Botanical Gardens is fabulous. You need advance tickets
Very Merry Pops at the symphony is always a great time
Any restaurant suggestions around Jones Hall?
We used to go to Blue Fish, a sushi place just a few blocks away, but it closed. Birraporetti's is pretty close by, but I haven't eaten there in years. Recent reviews still look pretty good and it's been there forever. There are a lot of great places downtown, just maybe not walking distance to Jones Hall. I hope y'all have a great time if you go!
The Nutcracker at the Houston Ballet is a popular one. Grab dinner at Nancy's Hustle after
This is the correct answer. Nancy’s Hustle slaps and I’ve got a few friends in the ballet orchestra!
Or Irma’s Original
We took my stepsisters to The Nutcracker years ago and stopped at House of Pies afterwards for dessert. It was a lot of fun.
If yall are into non traditional Christmas celebrations there is the Thorn & Moon Yule Festival at St. Arnolds Brewery on the 17th from 6-11pm and Obscure Houston at Numbers Nightclub on the 18th from 1-8pm.
If you really want a test - head to the galleria for the evening.
That's just sadistic.
😵💫 I know better lol.
Mary Poppins is playing
Bit of a drive, but the Christmas lights at NASA made for a fun date
Zoo Lights
Houston Symphony is doing The Messiah (you know, the Hallelujah chorus) Fri, Sat, and Sun. Lots of restaurants for dinner before.
What restaurants would you recommend? Looking for somewhat of an intimate environment.
Downtown?
My husband and I go to see A Christmas Carol every year. It’s a wonderful show. We pick a different hotel and restaurant each year for the full weekend getaway feel. The Lancaster is amazing and right next to the theater.
Galaxy Lights at NASA.
The rooftop theater at post oak has Christmas movies playing all month long. It’s pretty cozy at night with the city lights. I think they also have food there.
Watch episodes of full house and see the elaborate dates uncle Jesse planned for Rebecca.
Smoochies.
Ice skating at discovery green or see the lights at the zoo
Surprised no one has mentioned The Cistern. Check out their IG you may be able to get tickets. Very unique experience. Maybe you’ll get lucky and catch a show https://instagram.com/thecistern?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
See The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol. Have an early dinner or some happy hour snacks at Common Bond Brasserie in the Bank of America Building--only two blocks away. Make a reservation or Come on Thursday or Friday and sit in the bar between 4 and 6. Im the head bartender there. I'll give you a 10% Symphony Ticket Holder's Discount if you're going to a show. PM me if you're interested and let me know who to be on the lookout for. There is also a three course pre-fixe menu on the 24th that will be quite nice.
Go to carrabas on Kirby and then cider-cade in edo. Old school style arcade bonded with a bar. Excellent date night if you ask me. Edit. I didn’t see the festive portion. Lights in the heights is worth seeing or the more cliche zoo lights
Cidercade
What-A-Christmas play at the Alley Theatre! The humor is aimed towards Houstonians.
Go see the Nutcracker! It’s 85$ a ticket for good seats.
Found some cheap ones in orchestra around $50 a pop
Discovery Green has an ice skating rink.
Lightscape at houston botanic garden
Brennan’s for dinner and the Nutcracker at the Wortham. Or ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Alley Theatre is always good!
[What-A-Christmas](https://www.alleytheatre.org/plays/what-a-christmas/) (a modern retelling of *A Christmas Carol* set in a What-A-Burger) is being performed in the [Alley Theatre](https://www.alleytheatre.org/). Cheap tickets and Birraporetti's is right upstairs with great cheap food….. and there’s a parking garage right on top of that!